TEXAS RANGERS

Now that free-agent righthander John Wetteland is in the fold,the 1997 Rangers will feature not only one of the finest closersin baseball but also a kinder, gentler bullpen. Wetteland bringsto Texas his unique code of bullpen etiquette. A sampling of hisrules:

Bullpen members must applaud all positive plays by their team'soffense (i.e., home runs, stolen bases, sacrifice bunts).Two-clap minimum.

Before fetching a cup of water for himself, a bullpen membermust ask the others if they, too, are thirsty.

No bullpen shenanigans after the fifth inning or when the teamis losing.

The punishment for violating any of Wetteland's rules is adousing with water or something similarly juvenile. "It's justmy way of trying to keep guys loose in the bullpen," says the30-year-old Wetteland. "I don't want anybody sitting aroundthinking, Uh-oh, if that phone rings, what if it's for me?"

Wetteland has a rule that he reserves for himself: Do notsurrender a lead in the ninth inning. He adhered to it virtuallyevery time out last season, when he saved 43 games in 47opportunities for the Yankees and set a major league record withsaves in 24 straight appearances. Then in the postseason he was7 for 7, including saves in all four World Series victories--afeat that earned him the Series MVP award. In the opening roundof the American League playoffs, Texas was the victim ofWetteland's dominance. He pitched in all three New Yorkvictories, had two saves and struck out third baseman DeanPalmer for the final out of the Rangers' season.

Texas fans are keenly aware that Wetteland was afforded thoseopportunities only after the Rangers' bullpen blew leads in allthree games--a disturbing trend that had spilled over from theregular season, when the relievers blew 17 save chances. Nowonder that when Texas general manager Doug Melvin signedWetteland to a four-year, $23 million deal on Dec. 16, hereferred to his new closer as "the final piece of the puzzle."The following day the Rangers sold more season-ticket packagesthan any day in their history.

The arrival of Wetteland spells relief in many ways for managerJohnny Oates. "He takes the decision-making out of my hands,"Oates says. "Last year if we were up 2-1 going into the ninthinning and my starter had struck out the last three guys, I hada difficult choice. This year in that situation Wetteland willalways pitch the ninth inning for us." Adds Texas starter JohnBurkett, "John gives us the confidence that if we can win thefirst eight innings, we'll win the game 99 percent of the time."

The addition of Wetteland to a team that already has anexperienced rotation and a powerful lineup gives the Rangers asolid shot to repeat as West Division champs and perhaps reachthe World Series for the first time. "Winning the championshiplast season was like a wild ride at the amusement park,"Wetteland says. "When it ends you say to yourself, Wow, that wasa blast. Can I try that again?"

The Rangers hope he'll make it a rule.

--T.C.

B/W PHOTO: PHOTOGRAPHS BY PETER READ MILLER JOHN WETTELAND The Final Piece of the Puzzle

THE LINEUP

2B Mark McLemoreWill lead off full time after going 14 for 38 in top spot in 1996

C Ivan Rodriguez47 doubles last season, a major league record for catchers

LF Rusty GreerSeven game-winning hits in Texas's final at bat last two years

RF Juan GonzalezAmerican League MVP should return in May from thumb injury

CF Damon BufordHas never had more than 145 at bats in a big league season

SS Benji GilComing off back surgery that limited him to five games in '96

Ace Ken HillThree shutouts tied for most in the majors last season

Closer John WettelandHeld batters to a .179 average with runners in scoring position

STAT FACT

Juan Gonzalez has hit more homers (214) than anyone else inRangers history, but the franchise leader is Frank Howard, whohit 237 from 1965 to '71 when the club played in Washington andnine after the team moved to Texas in '72. Still, Gonzalez isthe leader in home run rate (one every 14.6 at bats) for playershitting at least 25. That ranks him ahead of Jose Canseco(16.3), Bobby Bonds (16.4), Mickey Tettleton (16.4) and Howard(16.7).